Yarn tensioning device



May 9, 1967 R. F. PARKS ETAL YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Filed June 28, 1965 INVENTORS. ROBERT F: PARKS WILLIAM B. KARST ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,318,551 YARN TENSIONING DEVICE Robert F. Parks and William B. Kai-st, Greenville, S.C., assignors to Steel Heddle Manufacturing Company, Paris, S.C., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed June 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,388 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-154) This invention relates to an improved yarn tensioning device providing positive threading, which may be accomplished in a single motion, and adjustable uniform tension.

The present invention contemplates an improvement upon the subject matter of copending application Ser. No. 308,516, entitled Tension Device, filed Sept. 12, 1963, in the names of Roy D. Jones, Robert F. Parks and Albert Gorze, now Patent No. 3,191,885.

While devices constructed in accordance with the above copending application have afforded simplicity in threading, several operator motions are involved. Devices constructed in accordance with the subject invention are improved in this respect, and provide substantially simplified threading when used with the Scharer Winder manufactured by Scharer Textile Machine Works, Erlenbach, Zurich, Switzerland, although other applications of such devices are contemplated. The present invention affords linkage means actuated to automatically move the tensioning applying element to threading position. It is important that the tensioning element be free to move against resilient means, which supply the tension, during normal winding operations. It is also desirable that a means for applying constant tension to the yarn on the winder be adjustable to vary the tension to meet production requirements.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to provide an improved yarn tensioning device wherein positive threading thereof can be accomplished in a single motion by the operator.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a yarn tensioning device for use on winders which will provide a constant uniform tension to the yarn which is variable. 7

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a device capable of automatically positioning itself for threading when such action is called for, and which will permit free movement of the tension applying element against a resilient force during normal winding operations.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawing forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating a yarn tensioning device constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned upon a winder of the type described above,

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevation of the device shown in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation looking toward the lefthand end of the tensioning device illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The drawing illustrates a yarn tensioning device including an elongated housing A. A plurality of longitudinally spaced aligned pins B are carried by the housing. An arm C is pivotally mounted on one side of the pins. Resilient means D normally urge the arm C outwardly away from the pins B. A pair of longitudinally spaced aligned yarn guides E are provided on the other side of the pins. The guides E are spaced transversely of the pins so as to form a yarn channel. A yarn inlet F is placed in alignment with the yarn channel and spaced outwardly of the yarn 3,318,551 Patented May 9, 1967 "ice guide E adjacent thereto. A yarn outlet G is placed in alignment with the yarn channel and spaced outwardly of the other of the yarn guides. A plurality of spaced loops H are provided in alignment with the pins and spaced longitudinally to pass between said pins when the resilient means is overcome to permit said arm to move to a position adjacent the pins. Open yarn passageways I in the loops in alignment with the yarn channel receive yarn Y from the supply S for entry into the loops. Outwardly tapering guide surfaces J are carried by the spaced yarn guides for urging yarn between the guides and the housing for threading the yarn into the inlet and outlet and into the loops. Linkage is provided for moving the arm to position adjacent the pins when theading is required including means K providing an override when the linkage is in normal operating position permitting free movement of the arm against the resilient means. An adjustment means L is provided for varying the force exerted by the resilient means D.

A cap which is positioned upon the stop motion structure of a Scharer Winder is illustrated at 10. The stop motion operating mechanism includes a stop motion feeler (not shown) which moves in response to the absence of yarn Y to actuate mechanism for turning the link 11 counterclockwise in FIGURE 2. The cap 10 carries a bracket 12 having a horizontal base portion and a transverse vertical portion 12b. The base portion 12a is secured to the cap as by the screws 13. The upstanding transverse bracket portion 12b carries a longitudinal bracket portion 120 on the free-end thereof, upon which the elongated housing A is carried. The housing A is fixed to the bracket portion 120 as by a pin 14, which has fixed connection to the bracket portion 120 as at 14a. A setscrew 15 is carried by a leg 16a of a depending bifurcated housing portion 16. By tightening a setscrew 15 the pin 14 is wedged between the legs 16a and 16b of the bifurcated member.

The housing A includes a horizontal base 17 and a vertically spaced longitudinally disposed upper frame member 18 in alignment therewith. The upper member 18 has fixed connection with the base 17 through integral end frame members 19 and 20. The upper frame member 18 has a raised support portion 1811 which will be described in greater detail below. The elongated vertical housing A carries a number of longitudinally spaced vertical pins B. The pins B are preferably manufactured of an extremely hard substance, such as Henium, distributed by Heany Industrial Ceramics Corp. of New Haven, Connect icut. The pins B have a relatively low coeflicient of friction and are positioned between the base 17 and the upper frame member 18 within the housing A defined between these members. I The arm C is illustrated as being in the form of an elongated arcuate member preferably of metallic construction, see FIGURE 3. The arm C is carried by an abutment 21, which has fixed mounting upon a shaft 22, see FIGURE 2. The abutment 21 is provided with a plastic bushing 21a to reduce friction. The resilient means D, see FIGURES 2 and 3, includes a coil spring 23. One end of the coil spring is secured in the support portion 18a as at 23a, while the other end is secured in the abutment 21 as at 23b. The resilient means D normally urges the arm C outwardly away from the pins B to a position such as that shown in broken lines in FIG- URE 1.

A pair of longitudinally spaced aligned yarn guides E are carried on the base member 17 on the other side of the pins opposite the mounting for the arm C. The guides E are fixed to the member 17 as by threaded means including the internally threaded nuts 24. The guides are spaced transversely of the pins B so as to form an open channel 25, see FIGURE 3. A longitudinal guiding adjacentthe pins when threading is required. linkage includes a loop K, which provides an override surface 26 on the housing is opposed to the yarn guides for defining the continuous straight yarn channel 25 which opens upwardly for receiving the yarn Y during a threading operation. A yarn inlet F is carried in alignment with the yarn channel by the base member 17. The yarn inlet is spaced outwardly of the yarn guide E which is adjacent thereto. The yarn inlet F and the yarn outlet G each have opposed downwardly and inwardly extending yarn guiding surfaces 27 and 28 which overlap each other as at 29. The surfaces 27 and 28 terminate in a yarn eyelet 30 wherein the yarn is confined by the spaced overlapping portions of the surfaces 27 and 28 as illustrated at 29 in FIGURE 3. On threading the yarn Y may, however, pass downwardly through the space between the members 27 and 28 prior to being trapped by the overlapping portions as illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The yarn'outlet G is also carried by the base member 17, and is in horizontal alignment with the yarn channel 25, and is spaced outwardly of the other of the yarn guides E. The yarn inlet F and the yarn outlet G are secured to the base member 17 by fastening means 28a.

A plurality of spaced loops H, also preferably constructed of Henium and the like, are carried by the arm C in alignment with the pins B. The loops H are spaced longitudinally to pass between the pins B when the arm C is moved adjacent the housing A. The loops are carried substantially transversely of the device, and are vertical to provide an open yarn passageway I in each such loop. The loops H have enlarged base portions 2 31. which are confined within the annular metallic arm C as is best illustrated in FIGURE 3. The open passageways I open upwardly and are carried in the upper por-- tion of the loops in alignment with the yarn channel 25 forfreceiving the yarn Y during threading.

7 Outwardly and upwardly tapering guiding portions having guide surfaces J are carried by the spaced arm guides E for urging the yarn between the guides and the housing for threading the yarn into the inlet F, the outlet G, and

into the; loops H through the passageway I.

Linkage is provided for moving the arm C to position 7 Such when the linkage is in normal operating. position, permitting free movement of the arm C against the resilient means D. The linkage includes a shank or shaft portion 1 32 integral with the'li-nk 11. The shank 32, see. FIGURES 2 and 3, has a post 33 for carrying one end of a spring V 34. The other of the spring iscarried by a post 35 carried. 1 by the cap 10. The, spring 34 turns the link 11 to a retired position in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 2. The shank 32 carries a link 36 which has pivotal connection with'the loped member K at oneend as at 36a. The

.member K has a looped portion 37 on the end thereof remote from the pivotal connection 36a for 'loosely'receiving a depending pin 38, which has fixed connection with the abutment 21 as at 38a. 7 The pin has an enlargethe looped portion 37. The pin 38 passes through a vertical opening 39 in a lower frame member 40. The lower free movement of the pin 38 therein responsive to movement 38b upon its lower end for positioning same withinment of the arm C, since the link mechanism is held in retired position by the spring 34. Were such override or lost motion not provided, the arm C would not be free to move during normal winding operations because the link would interfere with movement of the connecting pin 38, which has fixed connection with the arm carrying abutment 21.

An adjustment means L is provided for varying the force exerted by the resilient means D, which includes a cylindrical bearing member 22a carried by the shaft 22 within the frame portion 18a. A deformable bushing member 41 is carried within a bore 42 within the frame member 18a. The bore 42 accommodates a setscrew 43 which may be turned to vary the force exerted by the bushing member or plug 41 against the bearing portion 22a. The bushing is constructed of synthetic polymeric material, preferably nylon, and the bushing is of such size in relation to the shaft that the friction developed by plastic set between the bushing and the shaft exceeds the resilient force applied by the resilient'means D to the shaft under all normal tensions thereof. A knob 44 is carried by the shaft 22 to facilitate turning thereof against such friction, and an indicator portion 44a designates-a variety of tension settings representedby the indicia 45 carried upon the upper face of the frame member 18a.

Thus, when the arm C is in position adjacent the. pins B for a threading operation, the operator need only draw yarn Y from the supply'S and pass same downwardly between the guiding surfaces J and the outer surface '26 of the housing A for guiding same into the yarn channel tion passing across a roller 46, which is also preferably constructed of Henium and the like, past the stop inotion' feeler-and through the winder traverse mechanism 1 to be wound on a bobbin and the like. i

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is,

for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is: v 1. A 'yarn tensioning device including, an elongated housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced aligned pins carried by said housing, an arm pivotally mounted on one side of said pins, resilient means normally urging said arm outwardly away from said pins, longitudinally spaced aligned yarn guides on the other side of said pins spaced transversely from saidpins forming a yarn channel, a y-arn'inlet in alignment with said yarn channel spaced outwardly of the 'yarn guide adjacent thereto,

a yarn outlet in alignment with said yarn channel spaced outwardly of the other of the yarn guides, a plurality of spaced loops carried by said arm in alignment with said 7 pins spaced longitudinally to pass between said pins when said resilientv means is overcome. to permit said arm to move to a position adjacent the pins, open yarn passageways in' said loops in alignment with-said yarn channel,

and outwardly tapering guidesurfaces urging yarn be-. tween the guides and the housingfor guiding theyarn into the inletand outlet and into the loops.

2. The yarn tensioning device set forth in claiml inc'luding,'linkage or moving the arm to said position adjac'ent'the pins when threading of the device is required,

and means in; said linkage providing an override-when said linkage is in normal operating position permitting n free movement of the arm against said resilientimeans for providing uniform yarn tension,

3. The yarn tensioning device. set forth in claim 2 in- J eluding, a rotatable shaft upon which said arm is rotatably mounted, said resilient means being connected be- 1 tween said shaft and said am, whereby said shaft being turned in one direction increases the force exerted by the resilient means upon the arm, and a'deforma'ble bushing constructed of synthetic polymeric material into which I said shaft is mounted for supplying friction preventing the shaft from turning against said force when in an adjusted position. 7

4.A yarn tensioning device including, an elongated housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced aligned vertical pins carried by said housing, an arm pivotally mounted laterally of said pins, resilient means normally urging said arm laterally away from said pins, substantially vertical longitudinally spaced aligned yarn guides on the other side of said pins spaced laterally of said pins,

a plurality of spaced transverse vertical loops carried by 10 said arm in alignment with said pins spaced longitudinally to pass between said pins when said resilient means is overcome to permit said arm to move to a position adjacent the pins, open yarn passageways in the upper portion of said loops in alignment with said yarn channel, and outwardly and upwardly tapering guiding surfaces carried by said spaced yarn guides urging yarn between the guides and housing for threading the yarn into the inlet and outlet and into the loops.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,156,927 10/1915 Taylor 242153 2,813,687 11/1957 Carroll 242-154 2,823,874 2/1958 Noe 242-154 FOREIGN PATENTS 461,614 11/1913 France. 465,566 5/1937 Great Britain.

15 STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A YARN TENSIONING DEVICE INCLUDING, AN ELONGATED HOUSING, A PLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED ALIGNED PINS CARRIED BY SAID HOUSING, AN ARM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON ONE SIDE OF SAID PINS, RESILIENT MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID ARM OUTWARDLY AWAY FROM SAID PINS, LONGITUDINALLY SPACED ALIGNED YARN GUIDES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAID PINS SPACED TRANSVERSELY FROM SAID PINS FORMING A YARN CHANNEL, A YARN INLET IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID YARN CHANNEL SPACED OUTWARDLY OF THE YARN GUIDE ADJACENT THERETO, A YARN OUTLET IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID YARN CHANNEL SPACED OUTWARDLY OF THE OTHER OF THE YARN GUIDES, A PLURALITY OF SPACED LOOPS CARRIED BY SAID ARM IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID PINS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY TO PASS BETWEEN SAID PINS WHEN SAID RESILIENT MEANS IS OVERCOME TO PERMIT SAID ARM TO MOVE TO A POSITION ADJACENT THE PINS, OPEN YARN PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID LOOPS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID YARN CHANNEL, AND OUTWARDLY TAPERING GUIDE SURFACES URGING YARN BETWEEN THE GUIDES AND THE HOUSING FOR GUIDING THE YARN INTO THE INLET AND OUTLET AND INTO THE LOOPS. 